Latin dance is a general label, and a term in

partner dance competition jargon. ... The category of Latin

dances in the international dancesport competitions consists of
the cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, and also the jive of
United States origin. Latin dance is mainly derived from three
styles: Native Latin, European, and African influences. The roots
of Latin dance is deep and geographically embedded because it
dates back to the fifteenth century when indigenous dances were
first recorded by Europeans.

Steps: The steps taken for the man (or lead) are as follows, and
the follower's steps are the mirror opposite:

1. Beat one: Step forward/left on your left foot.

2. Beat two: Bring your right foot to join your left one.
3. Beats three-and: Step quickly on your left, and then right, foot.
4. Beat Four: Take a slow step on your left foot.

Music of Cuba is something of a musical mystery

in Latin America. It is the largest of the islands of the
Antilles and the Spanish settlers who came here were much
the same as those who settled the Dominican Republic and
Puerto Rico. The first Spanish settlers arrived to find an
indigenous population that could not stand up to the
demands of forced plantation labor that the full exploitation
of the land required. Thus they killed them all off either
directly or indirectly through excessive forced labor or
through the introduction of diseases that were new and unknown to them. Africans brought in through the
slave trade replaced the indigenous population and therefore, Cuba, like Puerto Rico and the Dominican
Republic developed an Afro Hispanic culture. So closely parallel to Puerto Rico and the Domincan
Republic it remains difficult to explain why Cuba, in particular, should have generated the unique
powerful creative energy that flowed out of it and for so many years .

Ballroom dance is a couples dance where couples mpve to the music using step-patterns and
rhythms that match the character of a given song. There are two main types of ballroom dance. The first
referred to as the Smooth/Ballroom style of dance, are flowing dances that move around the entire dance
floor in a counter-clock fashion. The couple is constantly moving on the dance floor, smoothly floor,
smoothly transitioning from pattern to pattern. Examples are Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and
Quickstep.
 Steps: Triple step - Triple steps are popular in swing
dancing. The Triple Step is a three step sequence taken on
two beats of music. If the first step of the triple step is
taken on count 1, the second step is taken on the half beat
between counts 1&2, and the third step is taken on count 2.
The step timing is often called out as 1&2. Usually the
triple step is two quick steps and one slow, called out as
"quick-quick-slow", or, using numbers, as "one-and-two.
Rock Step - Here we see a sequence of two steps called a
rock step. The step timing is usually slow-slow. Basic of
East Coast Swing - The combination of two triple steps
and a rock step form the basic step of triple timing swing or
the East Coast Swing. The step timing is usually called out
as 1&2, 3&4, 5,6. Ball-Change - Here we see a sequence of two steps called a ball-change. Weight on the
ball of the foot is changed to the other foot. Kick Ball Change - A popular swing dance step is the kick-
ball-change step, which can be used to replace the rock step. The timing is usually 1&2. The Basic Step
of the Carolina Shag - The combination of two triple steps and a kick ball change can be used in triple
timing swing dances such as the Carolina shag. Coaster Step - The coaster step is usually a back-
together-forward triple step danced to the timing of 1&2 or quick, quick, slow. Sailor Step - The sailor
step has a side to side look. It is also a triple step danced to the timing of 1&2. The step is accomplished
by leaning in the opposite direction of the crossing foot. Anchor Step - The anchor step is a stationary
triple step danced in third foot position to the timing of 1&2. It is popular in the west coast swing.
Grapevine - The grapevine is a continuous traveling step pattern to the side usually with alternating
crosses behind and in front of the supporting foot. Lock Step The lock step is usually danced to triple
step timing. During the step, the lower part of the legs cross such that the back leg becomes locked behind
the leading leg until the leading leg moves forward. The lock step is often used in the triple step of the cha
cha cha.

Rumba is a dance that tells a story of love and

passion between a strong, male lover and a coy, teasing
woman. Full of sensual movements, the Rumba is
considered by many to be the sexiest of the ballroom
dances. "Rumba" is a term that refers to a variety of
dances or a "dance party." This dance of love is one of
the most popular ballroom dances and is seen around the
world at nightclubs, parties, weddings and dance
competitions.

Steps:

1. Since the first step (with the foot labeled "1") is forward with the left, weight needs to
be shifted to the right foot as the left steps forward.
2. The second step is with the right (darker) foot, slightly wider than shoulders-width
apart, to the right.
3. Step number three is to bring the left foot over next to the right, and shift weight to that
foot.
 4. The right foot is step four, and in the diagram it steps directly back, bearing weight.
5. A long diagonal arrow has step five, which is the left foot returning to the original
position.
6. The final step of the rumba box step is to bring the right foot next to the left, returning
to the "start" position and preparing to repeat the entire sequence.

Jive is a dance style that originated in the United States

from Africans-American in the early 1930s. It was originally
presented to the public in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and
uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing
dance. Glenn Miller introduced his own jive dance in 1938 with
the song "Doin' the Jive" which never caught on. The jive is one of
the five International Latin dances. In competition it is danced at a
speed of 176 beats per minutes, although in some cases this is
reduced to between 128 and 160 beats per minute.

Steps:
Begin with your feet together. Jive dance is very bouncy.
So, all of your steps should have a bounce in them. You will
also be placing the emphasis on the "and" of each count. Hop
on your right foot and bring your left knee up on and. Step
back on one. Hop and bring your knee up and step forward. Next, chasse to the left. Chase to the
right. Then, repeat. Accentuate the hops, as you do it. Also, work your hips, as you move from side
to side, in your chasse. Continue emphasizing the "and" in the beats. Lead each step with the knee
bend.

Waltz that date from 16th century Europe,

including the representations of the printer H.S
Beheim. The French philosopher Montaigne wrote of
a dance he saw in 1580 in Augsburg, where the
dancers held each other so closely that their faces
touched. Kunz Haas (of approximately the same
period) wrote, "Now they are dancing the
godless Weller or Spinner." "The vigorous peasant
dancer, following an instinctive knowledge of the
weight of fall, utilizes his surplus energy to press all
his strength into the proper beat of the measure, thus
intensifying his personal enjoyment in dancing".

Steps:
Visualize the box. The basic waltz steps create the image of a box on the floor. This is why the basic step
is called the Left Box. Your feet will stop at the corner points on the box and move along the edges and
diagonally across the center. Envisioning this shape will help you as you learn the dance. Count in
threes. The waltz is known for its three beat count. As you step, you should be able to count 1-2-3, 1-2-3,
etc. Two 3-counts should complete your box. Dance basic steps or add turns. You can dance the basic
square movement, especially in the beginning when you are learning the dance. However, it is more
common for the waltz to include turns. These are easily added once you are more accustomed to the
dance Dance alone or with others. The dance is, of course, a partnered dance so you will have to dance
with at least one other person once you have practiced a little. However, you can dance as a single couple
or around several other couples. It is important when dancing with other couples, to observe how they are
dancing. If turns are added to the dance, you will also need to move with the rest in order to avoid running
into them.